Over the Rainbow

Tag: Palm Beach County

Same-sex couples across the state perhaps got their 2015 wish granted when a federal district court judge ruled on New Year’s Day that all 67 Florida county clerks must begin issuing marriage licenses on January 6.

In his order Thursday, U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle ruled that all Florida clerks are bound by the U.S. Constitution not to enforce Florida’s gay marriage ban.

On Aug. 21, Hinkle declared Florida’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional. With his stay in the federal lawsuit set to expire after Jan. 5, Washington County Clerk Lora Bell filed [More]

Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council.

Started in 1988, the council is an activist organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression throughout the county.

The council has worked diligently with public officials to successfully enact more than 65 local laws and policies that provide equal protection and benefits to the county’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, according to its website.

On Monday, Sen. Bill Nelson became the latest senator to co-sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The bill is just a few votes away from clearing the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.

If passed, the legislation would prohibit employers from engaging in workplace discrimination on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

In many states, including Florida, there are no laws to prevent an employer from firing or refusing to hire someone because they are gay, lesbian or gender non-conforming, according to the Palm Beach Human Rights Council.

In celebration of Spirit Day this Thursday, people around the world are encouraged to wear purple or go purple online to stand against bullying and show their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

Purple symbolizes ‘spirit’ on the rainbow flag, according to Glaad, the organization behind the event.

Get involved on social media by using the hashtag #spiritday and turning your profile picture purple on Facebook and Twitter.

Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade county residents can vote for their favorite gay-friendly restaurants, hangouts, drag queen and more.

Mack Planet, which hosts monthly business networking groups in Broward County and Palm Beach County, was one of the only local businesses to win last year. The group was nominated the Best Social/Networking Group in 2012 and 2011.

In case you didn’t know, October is designated as LGBT History Month by the Equality Forum. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured on its website with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.

The Icons, living or dead, are selected for their achievements in their field of endeavor; for their status as a national hero; or for their significant contribution to LGBT civil rights, says the agency. This year’s list includes Nathan Lane, Anderson Cooper, George Takei, Sally Ride and Queen Latifah.